Psalm 1 The Happy Man

Blessed is the man

Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,

Nor stands in the path of sinners,

Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

He shall be like a tree

Planted by the rivers of water,

That brings forth its fruit in its season,

Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper.

The ungodly are not so,

But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.

Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,

Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,

But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Take note how the Psalmist begins the psalm, not with instruction of “dos and don’ts” of action, but rather gives direction as to whom we are to be or not be influenced by. The contrast he wishes to draw is not one of wicked deeds versus righteous acts, but of being influenced from one place versus being influenced from another place; specifically, being shaped in our mind by the ungodly, the sinner, and the scornful versus being shaped by the law of the Lord.

Where a person walks, stands and sits, is demonstrative of what he delights in. Nobody walks in the way of the ungodly, stands in the way of sinners, or sits in the seat of the scornful, out of duty. We walk, stand and sit where we do because we want to – we are attracted by what they offer and so we willingly participate. In fact, it is as we meditate on these things (though we wouldn’t call it that), that we end up loving the world and the things in it. It starts by looking at what the world has to offer; this then leads to thinking about it so much that you want it, and before long you join the ranks of ungodly, walking in their ways, standing with them, and finally sitting resolutely in their seat. This describes the way of the reprobate. It is the terrible downward spiral of sin.

The only hope that anyone has of overcoming the temptations offered by the pleasures of the world is to instead delight in the pleasures of the word. Just as the pleasures of the world are awakened by looking at them long enough, so the pleasures of the word are awakened in the regenerate soul by looking at them long enough – meditating day and night, which in turn leads to delighting in it, which then frees us from the attraction of the ungodly, the sinner, and the scorner.

But it doesn’t end there. As we meditate on the word of God, we find it to be like a river, watering our souls as it were, from deep wells. As your roots touch the water of life, it makes your leaves green even during the drought and makes you fruitful when others are barren. You find your mind renewed and your spirit refreshed, and from that, changes in attitudes and behaviors flow. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, are borne for the pleasure of others and glory of God.

Consider just in this last week – where have you been walking, standing, and sitting? What have you been willingly filling your mind with? From whom have you sought counsel or consolation? What books are you reading? What media are you delighting to set before you eyes? Are you becoming more resolute in your sinful ways? more willing to listen to ungodly counsel?

Be assured, this way of the wicked will perish, but there is a Way – in fact The Way – Jesus Christ, our righteousness – which is known by God; and as such is the only Way that in the end will be saved.

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Overview of Psalms – Intimacy With God

In John Bunyon’s classic work, Pilgrim’s Progress, two characters Christian and Faithful, making their way to the Celestial City, are joined by a gentleman named Talkative, who also claimed to be on the same journey. As they fellowship along the way, it becomes quite clear that Talkative is very well versed in the Gospel. He seems to enjoy talking about repentance and faith, prayer and suffering, the need for Christ’s righteousness, the work of grace, and the abundant life. His doctrine is impeccable. Faithful accepts Talkative as an authentic compatriot. But Christian recognizes him for who he is: “Pure religion has no place in his heart, in his house, or in his daily living.” His religion, even though accurate, is only in his tongue. He thinks that because he has heard, learned, and can talk about Christ that he is a Christian. But Bunyon reminds us that hearing is only a momentary receiving of the Word, and talking is not sufficient proof of anyone’s true love for Christ.

This illustration has much to do with the new series we are beginning in the book of Psalms. First, it is important to realize that that there is much doctrinal instruction in the Psalms. While some poetry makes no claim to instruct the mind, the Psalms do. Jesus and the apostles often quoted the Psalms in order to teach truth (Matt 22:43-45, Heb 7:14-22). When we read the Psalms, we are meant to learn things about God and about human nature. True as this is however, if you read the Psalms only for doctrine, you’re not reading them for what they are intended to be. Psalms are also songs; that’s what the word psalm means. They are musical. The reason human beings express truth with music is to awaken and express emotions that fit the truth. Singing is intended to stir up and carry the affections of the heart. And if we fail to understand this, we will miss the very intention of God in His inclusion of Psalms in the canon of Scripture. We will risk being like Talkative, knowing all doctrine in our head, but failing to embrace truth with our heart. The apostle Paul warned that though one may speak with the tongues of men and angels, he still may be without love for God.

The Psalms is the most often-quoted Old Testament book in the New Testament. It was the hymnal and meditation book of the church for ages. Alongside the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, Psalms is the book that has shaped the thought and emotions of Christian throughout the ages. The reason for this is that Psalms are an expression from a heart that has experienced intimacy with God. They are the exultations of men who not only know about God, but know Him. And this will be our intention as we preach through the book of Psalms, to draw out the praise and emotion that must be the result of knowing God intimately.

Gerald Wilson writes:

“The Psalms can and should be part of the constant practice of the presence of God. Regularly read from beginning to end, they lead us again and again to consider aspects of life and of God’s will that we might not otherwise choose to remember or confront—let alone to embody in our living. Memorized in chunks the Psalms can provide ready response to the pressing realities of our days. When I have wakened in a panic in the darkness of the early morning hours—submerged in fear, self-pity, or self-doubt—the Psalms have often provided the assurance that my anxieties are known by God, who enlightens my dark places. So, I encourage you to make the Psalms your constant companion. Keep a copy at hand, and keep their words in your mind and heart and on your lips as you meet the challenges of your days and nights.”

The NIV Application Commentary, Psalms Vol. 1 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002).

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Amos 9:13-15 The Glory of the Church

Underneath the surface of the text and with the full light of the New Covenant shining upon it, Amos’ words in these verses point to the glory of the Gospel age culminating in the future glory of the new heavens and new earth which will be ushered in with the return of the Lord Jesus Christ at the end of the age. Promises such as these are said to be both ‘already,’ and ‘not yet;’ that is, such Gospel promises are ours to believe and hold fast to now, but await their eternal fruition in the future.

The plowman shall overtake the reaper, while a reference to physical land, is a shadow of the greater truth of the removal of the curse in Christ. This describes far more than merely the reversal of agricultural affects associated with the fall of man, but this applies to the church in this present age and in glory, as Christ converts sinners and the kingdom of God leavens the world (Matt 13:33). As people from every tribe and tongue and nation are gloriously saved, they become members of the invisible church which prefigures a day when people from all nations will worship God as one, before the eternal throne of heaven (Rev 5:9-10, 7:9-10).

The return of an exiled people, the rehabitation of cities, and enjoyment of the vineyards and gardens, again goes beyond merely speaking of human real estate; these are all shadows of a greater substance. Hebrews 11:9-10 makes it implicitly clear that while Abraham dwelled in the Promised Land, he understood that even though promised by God, that land would be temporary and point to a future city whose builder and maker is God. The Christian church made up of Jews and Gentiles together in the New Covenant, experience a return from exile and enjoyment of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Is 55:1-7, Jer 31:31-34, Gal 5:22-25). Today it is the church of Jesus Christ that is described as a holy nation (1 Pet 2:9). We must be careful as to what we call holy. Is not a land or nation ‘holy,’ because of the presence of God? Can we honestly claim that any land on earth is holy when it wishes nothing to do with Christ? Think about this, particularly if you believe that this prophecy of Amos was fulfilled by the nation of Israel in 1948. Is it not the church of Jesus Christ that is a holy nation – and the only solid ground amid the shifting sands of human history and government?

Finally God promises through the mouth of the prophet, I will plant them in their land, and no longer shall they be pulled up. Hallelujah! There is coming a day when the land which mankind surrendered at the Fall, (Paradise Lost), will be Paradise Regained and restored in an eternal building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens (2 Cor 5:1-2. Rev 22:1-5). It is the triumph and glory of the church – men from every tribe, tongue and nation redeemed to God by the blood of Christ – that will outlast all other forces, even the very gates of hell (Matt 16:18) to be the permanent possession of the Lord!